COM 2603_Written assignment_01

Semester 1/2023

ASSIGNMENT QUESTIONS

SEMESTER 1

ASSIGNMENT 01

WRITTEN ASSIGNMENT

INTERCULTURAL/DEVELOPMENT AND HEALTH COMMUNICATION

DUE DATE 20 March 2023

DUE TIME 23:00
UNIQUE NUMBER: 788791
SYSTEM OPENS FOR SUBMISSION: 13 March 2023 @ 8am
ASSIGNMENT TYPE/FORMAT: FILE SUBMISSION

ASSIGNMENT INSTRUCTIONS:

• Assignment due date: 20 March 2023, the system closes at 23:00, please do not
wait until the last minute to submit, also please note: no late assignment files
are accepted. No extensions can be granted- please plan ahead.

• Only PDF files are allowed.

• Students are required to submit their assignment via the file submission box (upload
your PDF file here- follow the system prompts). Please submit online only, via the
Moodle, platform.
• No emailed assignments are allowed and will be deleted.
• Please go to the “add submission” button on Moodle to submit your answer file online.
• Remember to click the “submission button” for your confirmation. Or your assignment
will remain in a draft form and cannot be marked. Double check: it says
“submitted” and not “Draft/in Draft form”
• Please keep screen shots as proof of your submission.
• Once the submission is completed, please note no re-submissions are allowed at
all.
• Your assignment declaration is compulsory, to embed/add within your assignment, and
then you are only allowed to upload ONE file, in PDF. Failure to submit a declaration
will result in a student obtaining zero, for the written assignment. Please adhere to
departmental rules.
• In-text referencing per a question is compulsory, or marks will be lost per question.
 • Please use the mark allocated per question, as a guide for how much to write, per
question.
• Please adhere to all the technical rules and processes as per CMNALLE (Example:
table of contents page, sources consulted page, declaration page, in-text referencing,
level of headings and sub-headings, etc. as per tutorial letter CMNALLE).
• Incorrect module content, blank files, corrupt files, read only files, password protected
files- will obtain zero, please double check, before you submit your assignment file
online.

ISSUES WITH MOODLE?

• Student queries can be directed to: Toll Free Landline: 0800 00 1870 (Select
option 7 for myModules)
• Email: mymodules22@unisa.ac.za (mailto: mymodules22@unisa.ac.za)

Good luck!
INTRODUCTION (2½)

You need to introduce the entire assignment by briefly introducing all three sections
discussed in the assignment.

SECTION 1
INTERCULTURAL COMMUNICATION

QUESTION 1

Read the scenario below and answer the questions that follow.

Intercultural conflicts at the University of Diversity in the Western Cape

The management at the University of Diversity has noted that there are constant
conflicts among students belonging to diverse ethnic and racial groups at the
university.

Management has also noted that students rarely interact or form study groups with
members of other racial groups – the majority of students only study with members of
their own racial group. Despite offering diversity training, management has come to
realise that this has not helped. According to the university, intercultural conflict
between white and black students is common at the university. The majority of black
students say there is racism at the university, and most lecturers treat them badly.
Management believes there might be other factors, besides cultural differences, that
influence intercultural communication among students at the university. The vice-
principal has invited you, as an intercultural communication expert, to explain what
other factors influence intercultural conflict, besides cultural differences.

1.1 Explain how the following factors influence intercultural communication, by

using examples from the above scenario.

1.1.1 Power (5)

1.1.2 Historical context (5)

1.2 Discuss acceptance, the second stage in majority identity development, and
explain how this stage may influence intercultural communication at the
University of Diversity. (5)

QUESTION 2

2.1 Discuss the following value orientations, and provide examples from your own
experience:

2.1.1 Collectivist/individualist value orientation (5)

2.1.2 High-context vs. low-context communication (5)

2.2 The manager of B&B multinational company, based in the United States,
devised a communication strategy for a B&B franchise that she was planning
to open in Southern Africa. She based the communication strategy on the idea
 that Africans are collectivistic. However, this communication strategy failed,
as some African employees preferred an individualistic approach to work and
communication. Discuss two limitations of the value frameworks and provide
examples from the scenario above. (5)

Sub-total: [30]

SECTION 2
DEVELOPMENT COMMUNICATION

QUESTION 1

You have been requested by a development organisation to be its development

communication consultant, to promote the diffusion of a new idea into your community.
Discuss the steps you would follow to implement a diffusion of innovations
development project in your community. Your discussion should be guided by the
following aspects:

1.1 Provide a definition of ‘diffusion of innovations’. (4)

1.2 Explain the four stages of diffusion of innovations, with relevant examples from
the new idea you are diffusing in your community. (2X4=8)

1.3 Which mass media would you use during stage 1 (knowledge), to promote the
innovation, and why? (4)

1.4 How would you promote the innovation during stages 2, 3 and 4? (4)

QUESTION 2

2.1 Provide an explanation modernisation theory as a dominant paradigm, by

focusing on its main characteristics. (5)

2.2 Provide an explanation of dependency theory as a dependency paradigm, by

focusing on its main characteristics. (5)

Sub-total: [30]

SECTION 3
HEALTH COMMUNICATION

QUESTION 1

Read the scenario below, before attempting to answer the questions that follow.

Nathi has been acting strangely, and his family believe he has become possessed. He has
become obsessed and compulsive about different aspects. He has become confused, with
thoughts that recur, and unwanted repetitive acts that he is unable to resist. His uncles have
suggested that he consult a medical doctor to obtain a diagnosis.
 Nathi is willing to go to the doctor with his uncle, but his dad is unhappy and wants to take him
to a herbalist. Nathi’s mother is very worried and wants her son to get better soon. His cousins
also arrive to visit him and offer their support.

Nathi’s best friend has advised his family and him to read up on OCD as an illness. Since his
friend is a final-year medical student, he has been researching this illness as part of a project
he is working on for university.

1.1 Provide a definition of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and integrate

Nathi’s situation (see above) in your discussion. Remember to reference the
theoretical discussion and link this with practical examples from the scenario
above. (3)

1.2 Provide an explanation of the clinical management of this illness from both a
biomedical and an outcomes-based approach. (3)

1.3 Provide an explanation of what the core focus of the OCD Association of
South Africa is all about. (2)

1.4 Explain what the objectives of the OCD Association of South Africa are, and
link each objective to Nathi’s situation (see the scenario above). (12)

QUESTION 2

2.1 Provide a detailed explanation, with full references, of what euthanasia means
or how it is understood in different cultures, and by people with different ethical
positions. (4)

2.2 From your cultural or religious perspective, what is your opinion on

euthanasia? Are you for or against it? (2)

2.3 Consult the media by searching for an example of euthanasia. Now report on
the incident: was it allowed, or not? Which parties sought to participate, or
actually participated in the process? How was the health communication
message communicated to audiences via the media? (4)

Sub-total: [30]

CONCLUSION (2½)

Conclude your assignment by briefly referring to all three sections discussed.

Technical presentation [5]

GRAND TOTAL: [100]

Use the following as a checklist for technical presentation:

• Have you included a declaration as a first page to your assignment? Have you
and a witness signed your declaration (or, have you provided the names of your
witness/es?)

• Have you included a table of contents with headings and the correct levels of
headings?

• Have you numbered and separated the pages from one another?

• If your assignment is typed, have you left a right-hand margin of approximately 4

cm for tutorial comments?

• Have you edited your assignment to ensure that there are no spelling and
language errors?

• Have you correctly cited (referenced) the discussion with the correct in-text
references?

• Have you included a list of sources consulted at the end of your assignment?

• Have you listed the study guide and all the other sources used (internet and other
articles, books, tutorial letters) in your list of sources consulted?